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Indigenous leaders asking that access to Labrador be sealed off – APTN

by ahnationtalk onApril 6, 2020123 Views

April 5, 2020

The elected leaders of the Innu of Labrador are requesting the closure of commercial airports, the ferry services, and travel from Quebec along the Trans-Labrador Highway into Labrador.

The Combined Councils of Labrador is also asking to stop non-essential travel between Labrador and Newfoundland.

The Indigenous nations believe limiting travel to essential services is one last step to slow the spread of COVID-19.

In a letter to Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Innu Nation says closing off Labrador is vital.

“The measures we are able to take as First Nation leaders to try and to protect our very vulnerable communities from Civic-19 are limited,” said Grand Chief Gregory Rich. “We have no way to limit travel into airports (other than the one in Natuashish), or into the province along the highway or on the ferries.”